Sir Paul McCartney has expressed concerns that artificial intelligence could “rip off” artists if proposed changes to copyright law are implemented. He warned that these proposals might diminish the motivation for writers and artists, potentially leading to a “loss of creativity, ” as stated during an interview with the BBC. The government's recently initiated consultation focuses on the use of copyrighted material in training AI models. McCartney, one of the remaining members of the Beatles, commented: “Young creators can write a beautiful song but ultimately don’t own it and have no control over it. Anyone can simply take it. ” He emphasized, “The reality is, money flows somewhere…Someone is being compensated, so why not the person who penned Yesterday?” The ambiguity surrounding the appropriateness and fairness of using copyrighted material for training AI models has sparked global debate, with legal actions taken by various companies and individuals within the creative sector who claim their work is being used without permission. Conversely, some publishing groups and media companies have entered licensing agreements with AI firms to authorize the use of their content for model training. McCartney has previously voiced his concerns about AI's threat to the creative fields.

In December, he cautioned that AI could “just take over” and joined actors Julianne Moore, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Bonneville in signing a petition calling the “unlicensed use of creative works for generative AI training a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of those creators, which must not be allowed. ” Author Kate Mosse has supported a parallel effort advocating for revisions to the data bill to enforce existing UK copyright laws, enabling creators to negotiate for fair compensation when licensing their work. The government stated it would utilize the consultation, which is open until February 25, to address critical issues in the debate, including fostering trust between the creative and AI industries and ensuring creators can license their work and receive payment. McCartney urged the government to reconsider the proposed plans. “We are the people, and you are the government. Your responsibility is to protect us, ” he stated. “If you are pushing a bill, ensure that you safeguard the creative thinkers and artists; otherwise, they won’t be around anymore. ” In November 2023, McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr utilized AI technology to create the song Now And Then, isolating John Lennon’s vocals from a home demo recorded in 1977. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy affirmed last year that the government “strongly believes our musicians, writers, artists, and other creatives should have the ability to understand and control how their content is utilized by AI companies and be able to pursue licensing agreements with fair compensation. Achieving this, along with ensuring legal clarity, will foster innovation and growth for both our creative and AI sectors to thrive in partnership. ”